The Israeli military on Wednesday said it had resumed enforcing the ceasefire accord in Gaza, even as health officials in the enclave reported at least 104 deaths from overnight Israeli airstrikes. Both Israel and Hamas accused each other of breaching the truce, deepening tensions despite the U.S.-brokered peace agreement.

The Israeli military said it launched the strikes late on Tuesday “after Palestinian militants killed one soldier”, describing the attack as a “clear violation” of the ceasefire. The army maintained that it would continue to uphold the agreement but would “respond firmly to any violation.”

Civilian toll rises

According to Gazan health authorities, the latest airstrikes killed at least 104 people, including:

  • Five in a house in the Bureij refugee camp (central Gaza)
  • Four in Gaza City’s Sabra neighbourhood
  • Five in a car in Khan Younis (southern Gaza)

Israel confirmed the soldier’s death and said the attack occurred within the “yellow line”, the boundary for Israeli troop deployment under the ceasefire deal.

Ceasefire under strain

The ceasefire, brokered by the United States, took effect on October 10, marking an end to two years of war that began with Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.

U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed fears that the truce could collapse.

“As I understand it, they took out an Israeli soldier. So the Israelis hit back and they should hit back,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “Nothing is going to jeopardize the ceasefire.”

Hamas denies responsibility

Hamas denied attacking Israeli forces in Rafah, saying it remained committed to the truce. Under the accord, Hamas had agreed to:

  • Release all living hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners
  • Hand over the remains of deceased hostages
  • Facilitate Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza

Israel has accused Hamas of delaying the handover of bodies and staging recoveries.

Dispute over “staged remains”

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said human remains recently handed over by Hamas belonged to an Israeli killed during the 2023 attacks. The military released a 14-minute video allegedly showing Hamas operatives planting remains before summoning a Red Cross team — a claim Reuters could not independently verify.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed outrage, saying its staff were unaware of any staging.

“It is unacceptable that a fake recovery was staged when so much depends on this agreement being upheld,” the ICRC said.